What's on this weekend in Melbourne

Discover things to do in Melbourne this weekend, from free events to exhibitions, attractions and places to visit.

The NGV and Arts Centre lit up on a winter night.

This weekend

Burlesque performers on stage wearing black clothing and waving white boa fans.
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Briefs: The Works

Circus with attitude. Drag with muscle. Burlesque with bite.

Mossy bird's nest balanced between twig branches on a tree.
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Design X Nature

An outdoor exhibition of artworks exploring how natural systems inform creative practice.

A Melbourne Fashion Week outdoor fashion capsule installation of fashion mannequins in a large glass rectangular case, displayed in a public space.
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Fashion Capsules

A diverse series of curated exhibitions in surprising locations across the city.

A woman eating fire from sticks with Fringe Festival lettering in the background in blue.
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Melbourne Fringe Festival

Melbourne Fringe Festival returns with 500+ exciting, boundary-pushing arts events.

Performer dancing in front of a fish-eye image of Fed Square.
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Dhandha/Campfire

In an age of digital isolation, Joel Bray is lighting the way back to each other.

Cabaret performer Tina Del Twist on stage wearing a fur stole.
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Tina's Rooftop Piano Bar

Tina Del Twist lets her velvet voice and wicked wit loose with a bevy of dazzling guests.

Full-length studio portrait of a performer dressed as a stylised, theatrical pink clown against a solid light blue background.
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Adore Händel’s Birthday Party

You're invited to the birthday of history's most scandalous time-travelling songbird.

A ballet company performing on stage with ballerinas forming a guard around a central dancer.
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The Stuttgart Ballet: The Sleeping Beauty

Germany’s premier ballet company returns to Melbourne with a dazzling classic.

A crowd of people with pink powder flares in a city setting
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StreetBeats: Photography Exhibition

The Australian Association of Street Photographers' annual photography exhibition.

A still from a movie showing an actress dressed as a bride with three people behind her, all looking pensive.
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Greek Film Festival

Celebrating the best of Greek storytelling at Kino Cinema.

A performer sits at the top of a tall ladder, playing an electric guitar while below them, another performer stands facing away from the camera, holding the ladder steady with uplifted arms.
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Ocker

Ocker is roving circus tearing through the streets on a portable railway track built in real time.

Illuminated panels with shades of red on a black background.
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Melbourne International Jazz Festival

A city-wide celebration of jazz, improvisation and boundary-pushing contemporary music.

Four classical musicians surrounded by glittering scrolls and stars.

The Wagner Gala Concert

A landmark, one-night-only musical event to mark the reopening of the Ian Potter State Theatre.

A crowded indoor dance floor with people dancing under disco-style lighting.

Discoteca Italiana Arrivederci Roma

Discoteca Italiana returns to celebrate Roman art, culture and daily life after dark.

An audience watching two DJs perform a Daft Punk tribute show in a dark nightclub.
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Daft Punked: The Tribute

Two of Australia's top DJs recreate the music, energy and spectacle of Daft Punk.

Man wearing traditional Italian dress - red hat, green waistcoat, holding an Italian flag in front of the Exhibition Building.
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Italian Festa and Expo

Celebrating all thing Italian at the Royal Exhibition Building and Museum Plaza.

Author and educator Hannah Shaw, widely known as the Kitten Lady, holding a small kitten, her blond hair falling to one side of her face, she stands in front of a wall of cat pictures.
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Cat Lovers Festival

Explore the latest and greatest products and services to spoil your furry feline friend.

Two fluffy white Samoyed dogs wearing decorative bandanas at a dog expo, with smiling young children looking at them.
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Dog Lovers Festival

This festival in an unforgettable celebration of our canine friends and a doggy shopping paradise!

A close up photograph of an indigo and white tie-died fabric.

Wearable Art

In this workshop you will explore textile techniques to fill your wardrobe with wearable artworks.

A burlesque dancer doing a handstand with her legs over the back of her head.

Club Fringe: Tales from the Grave - ReVamped

Drag, circus and burlesque royalty rise from the grave for Fringe's campiest party.

The Carlton AFLW team running through the cheering squad banner and onto the field.

AFLW Round 10: Carlton v Western Bulldogs

Come along to IKON Park on a Saturday afternoon to watch Carlton face the Western Bulldogs.

A live outdoor performance on a stage with a large crowd gathered at Federation Square.

Free Jazz at Fed Square

Fed Square comes alive with brass, beats and boundary-pushing sounds, followed by Jazz on Film.

A graphic illustration depicting a night time gathering of mythical, demonic creatures around a roaring central bonfire.

Collab Zine: Last Minute

This is your final day to submit a page to the collab zine - get it done together.

A man wearing a helmet and riding a small billy cart on the street past a crowd behind a hay bale barricade.

Queensberry Cup

A vibrant community festival with billycart racing, live entertainment and family fun.

New Orleans-style jazz band parading past crowds gathered at Southgate.

Second Line Street Party Featuring Rebirth Brass Band

A musical march along the Yarra, bringing the quintessential New Orleans parade to the inner-city.

Hands of a person presenting a single donut in a box.
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Melbourne Donut Festival

Enjoy a delectable array of sweet treats, playful entertainment and plenty of sugary delights.

A figure skater wearing a red and black costume skating on an ice rink with the words O'BRIEN ICEHOUSE visible on a hoarding in the background.
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Victorian Figure Skating Championships

See Victoria's top figure skaters compete for their state title.

An angled shot shows two books resting on people's laps as they sit side-by-side on a wooden seat.

A Groovy Book Swap

The Literary Lounge hosts their very first book swap at Section 8.

Animated still, people outside a cinema with portico entry and sign.

Soul

A one-of-a-kind animated film featuring an Oscar-winning jazz soundtrack by Jon Batiste.

Regular weekend events

A woman eating fire from sticks with Fringe Festival lettering in the background in blue.
Until

Melbourne Fringe Festival

Melbourne Fringe Festival returns with 500+ exciting, boundary-pushing arts events.

Dark image of a Dracula figure lit with red light on stage.
Until

Dracula: Ballet at its Darkest

A bold, cinematic reimagining of the gothic classic.

Mossy bird's nest balanced between twig branches on a tree.
Until

Design X Nature

An outdoor exhibition of artworks exploring how natural systems inform creative practice.

Rooftop garden at Fed Square with people under market umbrellas.
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RESET: A Festival for Grounding and Growing

Slow down, find joy in the hands-on and discover creative ways to live more sustainably this spring.

Two people seated below a neon sign.
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The Story of the Moving Image

A permanent exhibition that journeys through the past, present and future of the moving image.

Animator and filmmaker Adam Elliot working on a claymation set, adjusting characters.
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Making Memoir of a Snail

Explore handmade sets, props and characters from Adam Elliot's claymation film Memoir of a Snail.

A plate of fluffy pancakes with ice-cream and chocolate over the top.
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Chocolate Family Adventure Day

Enjoy an all-inclusive, stress-free family outing filled with fun, creativity, and delicious treats.

Man holding an old-fashioned lantern outside illuminated Flinders St Station at night, wearing a suit and cap.
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Hidden Melbourne: Ghosts, Murder and Mystery

Take a spine-chilling journey back in time to explore the rich paranormal realm of Old Melbourne.

Black and white photograph from the 1960s of model, Twiggy, wearing a mini-dress at the Melbourne Cup.
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Swinging 60s

This exhibition looks at what it was like to live in Victoria during the 1960s.

A ballet company performing on stage with ballerinas forming a guard around a central dancer.
Until

The Stuttgart Ballet: The Sleeping Beauty

Germany’s premier ballet company returns to Melbourne with a dazzling classic.

A group of people on a guided walk of the Royal Botanic Gardens, with trees in the background.
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Free Guided Walk

A free guided walk is the perfect way to enjoy the sunny weather in Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.

An ancient Roman marble bust with its nose chipped off, displayed on a small square plinth.
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Rome: Empire, Power, People

This Melbourne-exclusive exhibition is a vibrant exploration of Ancient Rome.

Three people on a walking tour with a Fit City tour guide, two carrying a takeaway coffee.
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Laneways and Lattes Walking Tour

Explore Melbourne’s hidden laneways with coffee, street art, history and culture.

Two people on a stage giving each other a high five, one also holding a microphone.
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Comedy at the Coopers Inn

A comedy club featuring the best local, interstate and international stand-up comedians.

Workshop class participants smiling in a studio setting, holding up mosaic pots and coasters they have made.
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Mosaic Making Workshop for Beginners

Learn the art of creating beautiful mosaics from start to finish.

A group of smiling participants in a studio workshop setting, holding glass-domed terrariums.
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Serene Terrarium: Workshop for Beginners

Create your mini plant world while enjoying a soothing cuppa and a calming environment.

Workshop participants smiling and holding multicoloured mosaic tiled coasters.
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Colourful Mosaic Coaster Workshop

Come and make mosaic coasters and step into the world of colours.

A close up of flower made from enamel craft
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Cloisonne Enamel Painting Workshop for Beginners

Create a unique drink coaster using the ancient cloisonné art.

Three smiling workshop participants in a studio space, holding up jewellery they have made.
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Polymer Clay Earring Workshop

Create beautiful jewellery in this fun workshop.

People looking up at the trees on a guided walk in the Royal Botanic Gardens.
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Aboriginal Heritage Walk

Wominjeka: journey into Melbourne Gardens with an Aboriginal guide.

Cheese and wine display on a table near a window.
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High Cheese

A bold three-tiered journey showcasing local and international cheeses, inspired by fire and water.

Installation view of the Spartans & Anzacs exhibition at the Shrine of Remembrance, with people walking around the space, reading panels and looking at displays.
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Spartans & Anzacs

This exhibition invites reflection on the enduring values forged in conflict.

Two theatrical costumes on display in front of a red curtain, featured in the ENCORE! exhibition at the Australian Museum of Performing Arts.
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Encore!

50 Objects. 50 Years. One Collection. Treasures from the Australian Museum of Performing Arts.

Two young adults observing a sculpture in a gallery space with digital and scupltural displays.
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EMERGENCE[Y]

An exhibition exploring how adaptation in a world of flux unfolds in every layer of life.

Artwork by Margaret Preston depicting Banksia flowers in a pot.
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Margaret Preston

NGV's new retrospective exhibition on Margaret Preston.

A large group of people in active wear all running on a path in park.
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Run the Tan: Run Club

Start the weekend off on the right foot with a run around the Tan.

A gallery space with paintings displayed on one white and one yellow wall, plus a series of totems or tree trunks displayed in a white stand in the middle.
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Ngarn Wa'ngal: Art of the Gum Tree

Discover how the iconic gum tree has inspired centuries of Australian art and culture.

Oktoberfest-themed illustration with man wearing a Tyrolean hat holding steins of beer, pretzel and meat, with a Melbourne tram.
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Oktoberfest at Hofbrauhaus

Celebrate German bier, food and music as the Hofbräuhaus Oktoberfest turns 58.

A traditional beer keg-tapping ceremony at an Oktoberfest celebration, at a Bavarian-style beer hall.
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Oktoberfest at Munich Brauhaus

Enjoy Bavarian feasts, flowing German bier, live entertainment, and all the Oktoberfest festivities.

Looking over a blurred shoulder at a table with books displayed.
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World of the Book

Experience the rare, the sacred and the iconic in this one-of-a-kind exibition.

Stand-up comedian Sam Campbell, talking into a microphone they hold in their hand, performing live on stage.
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Main Stage: Stand-Up Comedy

Have a laugh with stand-up comedy from Australia's best comedians, plus international drop-ins.

Three ballerinas on a darkened stage in glowing tutu dresses.
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Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty in a Sparkling Show

The classic fairytale is reimagined with glow-in-the-dark costumes and luminous staging.

Egg yolk pouring out of a long sub sandwich with cheese and salad.
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Gourmet Sandwich Hunt

Elevate your sandwich style with celebrity chef Darren Purchese.

Singers and dancers on a theatre stage in a scene from A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical, with spotlights and stage sets.
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A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical

An inspiring, exhilarating, energetic musical memoir.

Aerial view of an outdoor market on Southbank promenade, showing the Yarra River with boats on the right, market umbrellas and stalls on the concourse and city buildings in the background.
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Southbank Makers Market

Explore the Southbank Makers Market every Sunday on the promenade at Southgate.

A solar eclipse, with light emerging around the edges of the blacked-out sun.
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Solar Tours

Come and experience the wonders of the Sun at the historic Melbourne Observatory.

Grilled cheese toastie on a plate.
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Vego Toastie Hunt

Elevate your vego sandwich with celebrity chef Darren Purchese.

A dancer performs on a brightly illuminated stage wearing a white tutu and bodice outlined with glowing green neon lights, behind her is a framed portrait of two women.
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Ballet of Lights: Cinderella in a Sparkling Show

The classic fairytale is reimagined with glow-in-the-dark costumes and luminous staging.

A still from a videogame depicting a Chinese soldier fighting two warriors in front of an ancient Chinese temple.
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Feng Mengbo: Long March Restart

An free exhibition that playfully reimagines modern Chinese history as a videogame.

An egg-shaped figuring with a brown cowboy hat and a pistol.
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NEW26

The return of the much-loved NEW exhibition series at ACCA.

Burlesque performers on stage wearing black clothing and waving white boa fans.
Until

Briefs: The Works

Circus with attitude. Drag with muscle. Burlesque with bite.

Three long narrow boats with people seated in them and a guide standing at the rear of each boat, punting on the lake at Royal Botanic Gardens.
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Punting on the Lake

Glide between the bays and islands of Ornamental Lake on a guided boat cruise.

A Melbourne Fashion Week outdoor fashion capsule installation of fashion mannequins in a large glass rectangular case, displayed in a public space.
Until

Fashion Capsules

A diverse series of curated exhibitions in surprising locations across the city.

Performer on stage doing circus tricks, acrobats hanging in the air.
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Fijian Flying Circus

A world-first fusion of Fijian storytelling and contemporary circus.

Participants on the State Library Victoria Unlocked guided morning tour inside the iconic dome at State Library Victoria in Melbourne.
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State Library Victoria Unlocked

Join an exclusive guided tour and experience State Library Victoria before the doors open.

Novelty wind-up chattering teeth against a yellow background.
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Basement Comedy Club: Weekend Showcase

Bringing you the biggest names and best comedians in the country, and beyond.

A young person with long blonde hair, wearing a green satin top and making an animated, expressive gesture with hands up near their face against a solid olive-green background.
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Tegan Higginbotham: Follow That Turtle!

Award-winning comedian Tegan Higginbotham is back with an unmissable hour of stand-up gold.

Black and white photograph of a busy Melbourne city intersection with trams, cars, people crossing the road, and buildings, dating from around the 1950s or 1960s.
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Making Modern Melbourne

This free exhibition examines the tumultuous twentieth century in Melbourne.

Four rows of people sitting smiling and laughing.
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Kings of Comedy: Underground, Uncensored, Unrivalled

Enjoy stand-up comedy from future stars and celebrity guest headliners.

Close up of a Bulgarian Banista – an egg, cheese and spinach pie similar to a Borek.

Bulgarian Filo Pastry Magic

Master the art of filo pastry and learn techniques to elevate your baking game.

Four women standing and holding up small mosaic lamps in front of a circular neon sign.
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Mosaic Art Classes Melbourne: Turkish Lamp Workshop

Make beautiful mosaic lamps at this Turkish lamp workshop

A green linocut of a flower and foliage printed on paper and a fabric tote bag.
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Tote Bag Block Printing Workshop

Style your bag just the way you like it with block printing in this beginner's workshop.

See all events on this weekend

More to explore

People milling around Fed Square at sunset.

What's on today

Discover free events, epic festivals and shows on in Melbourne today.

A night tennis match at Rod Laver Arena.

Major events

From the Australian Open to the Melbourne Cup, major events take centre stage throughout the year.

People on deck chairs watching a movie in Fed Square on a large screen.

What's free in Melbourne this month

Everything to see, do and enjoy in Melbourne for free this month.

A chef cooking meat skewers over a flaming grill.
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What's on in November

Things to do in Melbourne in November, from free events to exhibitions and places to visit.